THERE was a trend this week for Round 3 of Southern Ports tennis with three of the five matches won 15 sets to nine, one of which was the predicted match of the round.
Naracoorte continued to show its strength with the win over the Lucindale Koalas, while Millicent/Beachport was lucky to hang onto second spot after losing to Frances/Lucindale Eagles.
The tussle for a top-six position on the ladder begins with the Lucindale Wombats applying some pressure, with an easy win against the Lucindale Cockatoos and neither Robe or Kingston could take home complete bragging rights, as the towns both secured one win each.
Lucindale Koalas and Naracoorte started the afternoon with a tight contest that set the trend for the day.
The Tim Durick/Leanne Graetz pairing were too strong for George White and Poppy Moyle-Read, winning 6-1.
However, Daniel Menzel and Kelsie Moyle-Read team fought back for Naracoorte, defeating Adrian Maywald and Andrea Buckett 7-5 in a tough contest.
Jen Malone continued her winning streak with another 6-0 win, this time over Kate McGregor.
In the tightest game of the day, Chandler Smart just got the better of Sidney Malone, 7-5.
The highlight double of the day was between father-son duos Chandler and Trevor Smart and Sidney and Will Malone.
The Smart’s triumphed 9-4 and Naracoorte 15-123 defeated the Koalas 9-106.
It was another tough day for the Lucindale Cocky’s at home.
The Wombats found early form in the mixed doubles and ran away with the day 18-6.
Three-set wins went to Eliza Handbury, Anthony McCarthy, Heidi Ware, Duncan Ogilvie, Jared Oliver, Alexandra Klug and Clementine Robinson.
In the match of the day, Wombat B en Wood defeated Matt Drew 7-5 in a battle of the big serves.
Over at Lucindale the newly-formed Frances/Lucindale Eagles won 15-9 but with many games being a 6-4, 7-5 or tie breaker result which went majority the Eagles’ way.
There was plenty of great tennis to watch, with Jane Fitzgerald and Sally Bateman, Angus McTaggert and Robbie Bateman, Peter Lawrie and Jacob Shi all having tight tussles with all matches going the Eagles way but luckily Lucy Corman and Emma Lang claimed a couple back for the Millicent/Beachport side.
Unfortunately, Millicent’s top women’s doubles had to forfeit but the Eagles finished strong to win three of the remaining five doubles matches to record a comfortable win.
At Robe the Rebels hosted their first game of the season against the Kingston Crays.
There were several new faces for Robe, including three Agnews pairing up together, which was one of many special moments.
Robe got off to a strong start to win all the mixed doubles.
Rebels’ Isabelle Sneath and Andrew Brown played the set of the day against Craig Lawrie and Stacey Lehmann when they came from 4-2 down to take the set 7-5.
With many three-set winners, Robe won the day 19-5.
The Kingston Dolphins defeated Robe Roosters 15-9.
Round 4’s match of the round will see Millicent/Beachport host Lucindale Wombats.
With both teams sitting with two wins and one loss the winner should hold a top-three spot.
Round 4 draw: Naracoorte v Lucindale Cockatoos at Naracoorte; Lucindale Koalas v Frances/Lucindale Eagles at Lucindale; Kingston Crays v Robe Roosters at Kingston; Kingston Dolphins v Robe Rebels at Kingston; Millicent/Beachport v Lucindale Wombats at Furner.
